Press Release

The Supreme Court decision to uphold the right of state and local police to check the immigration status of individuals under question for other offenses is an important victory for immigration reform, according to House Republican Conference Secretary John Carter (R-TX31), while the court's rejection of other state level immigration enforcement laws should be addressed by Congress.

"The split decision of the court is a reminder that we need federal immigration reforms more than ever," said Carter. "The Supreme Court is correct to point out that immigration is a federal concern, but the court also noted that Congress has authorized the states to partner in federal efforts to enforce immigration law. For the Obama Administration to then unilaterally suspend Arizona's congressionally-approved 287g immigration enforcement program participation is an act of pure political retaliation. This is one more example of this Administration's contempt for the law."

Carter says the action by the Administration is part of a pattern of practice by the Administration to circumvent the Constitution and legislative process to enact a partisan agenda for political gain. The suspension action follows the President's announced policy to cease enforcement efforts against an estimated 1 million illegal immigrants.